A/Ibom Community Demands LG Status In Proposed Obolo State Creation

As agitations by some ethnic minorities subsist in parts of the country, elders, leaders, youths and stakeholders of Unyinge, a riverine oil -bearing community in Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom State, have described the creation of more States as a necessity to douse tensions arising from alleged marginalization of ethnic minorities.

Therefore, for more powers and development to be devolved to the grassroots, the leaders have made a case for the Unyinge territory to be considered as a local government council in the proposed Obolo State creation out of Akwa Ibom.

The agitators under the Unyenge Proposed Local Government Movement (UPLGM), in a communque after a consultative meeting on the issue, renewed the call for the creation of Unyenge LGA to be carved from the present Mbo council Akwa Ibom State.

Citing the community’s strategic coastal location, economic potential and growing development needs, the communque signed by the Convener, Amb. Harry Asuquo Johnson, noted that “the proposed local government would bring governance closer to residents and provide a stronger administrative framework for harnessing the area’s natural and economic resources within the proposed Obolo State.”

The group said its demand was based on Unyenge’s geographical size, population, strategic location and economic activities, particularly its access to the Atlantic coastline.

According to the Movement, “Unyenge’s coastal location gives it significant potential for fishing, maritime commerce, trade and other activities capable of supporting a viable local economy.”

The stakeholders also identified the Stubb Creek area, rich in oil, gas and and other maritime ecosystems as an important ecological and economic asset that could contribute significantly to the development of the proposed local government, if properly managed.

“The Unyenge’s economic importance is further demonstrated by the presence of oil and gas activities in the area, with oil firms including
Savannah Energy Resources Limited, Universal Energy Resources Limited, whose operations include exploration of OML 14, and Tulcan Oil & Gas Exploration/Production, and other associated companies,” the group noted.

The stakeholders also cited the activities of Shimoa Mining Investment Limited, a Chinese company which, extracting substantial quantities of black sand in Unyenge community.

Beyond oil and mining, the movement disclosed that the area had active fishing, farming, timber and trading activities, providing livelihoods for residents and contributing to the local economy, arguing that “the combination of natural resources, commercial activities and Unyenge’s strategic coastal location provided a strong basis for establishing a separate local government within the proposed Obolo State.

“Unyenge’s economic activities and natural resources require a governance structure capable of responding directly to the needs of the people and managing the opportunities available to the area.”

Describing the establishment of the proposed Ibaka Deep Seaport as a potential catalyst for economic development in the wider coastal corridor, the agitators pointed out that “the Unyenge’s location could position the proposed local government to benefit from increased maritime activities, investment, trade and employment opportunities as infrastructure development progresses.”

The movement noted that such opportunities would require effective planning, infrastructure and appropriate government institutions to translate the area’s economic potential into tangible benefits for residents.

“The creation of Unyenge LGA within the proposed Obolo State will provide an administrative platform for attracting investment, improving infrastructure and coordinating development across its communities,” the leaders stressed, and
impressed on the National Assembly and other relevant authorities to “give the proposal serious consideration as discussions on the creation of new local government areas and the proposed Obolo State continue.”